Collapsible and adjustable machine framework construction



May 25, 1965 c. E. SPINDLER COLLAPSTBLE AND ADJUSTABLE MACHINE FRAMEWORK CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 26, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l MM m m m BY v 53 FIT O/FNEY' May 25, 1965 c. E. SPINDLER 3,185,422

COLLAPSIBLE AND ADJUSTABLE MACHINE FRAMEWORK CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 26, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mmvroa 55 C/eme/rs S /hJ/er 35 H7 ORA/5Y5 United States Patent O ce 3185 422 COLLAPSIBLE AND, ADJUSTABLE MACHINE FRAMEWORK CONSTRUCTION Clemens Spindler, 315 w. 25th St., Sioux City, Iowa Filed Dec. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 247,071 1 Claim. (Cl. 248-124) My invention relates to a collapsible and adjustable machine framework construction.

An object of my invention is to provide a machine, generally of the hoist or crane type which can be collapsed to provide minimum space requirements when transporting the same before being erected.

A further object of my invention is to provide a collapsible arrangement which also includes features wherein stronger supporting sections will be provided due to the general arrangement when the device is being used.

A further object of my invention is to provide certain modifications improving generally the structure contemplated.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claim, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a hoist or crane type of machine utilizing my structure with sections broken away,

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 of FIGURE 4,

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of FIGURE 3,

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged detail,

FIGURE 6 is a side elevation of a modification, and

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of FIGURE 6.

My invention contemplates the provision of a machine structure which includes certain features wherein the machine can be broken down or collapsed to minimum sized requirements and which machine can be erected into its proper functioning shape, and wherein the resultant shape will include considerably strengthened parts at the collapsible or removable sections.

To illustrate my invention I have used a typical crane or hoist and I have used the character 10 in FIGURE 1 to designate a centrally positioned horizontal pipe which is received within the fairly snugly fitting male pipe 11, the character 12 indicating a set-screw or bolt which is threadably engaged at 13 (see FIGURE 5) with the pipe 11, the character 14 indicating an opening in the pipe 10, this construction thereby locking the pipes 10 and 11 together, the bolt 12 providing means for also looking the sections against relative movement with respect to each other.

Welded as at 15 to the forward end of the pipe 10 is a holder or keeper member comprising a pair of opposed members 16 having the end flanges 17, these members being spaced apart a slight distance to thereby provide the slot at 18 to receive one of the vertical links 19 of a chain 20, to which is attached the hook 21, the character 22 indicating a transversely placed link, this arrangement thereby serving to provide means for supporting the chain in a convenient manner.

I have further used the character 23 to indicate a vertically positioned pipe section in which is received the male pipe section 24, the section 23 including the threaded openings at 25 adapted to engage the various set-screws or bolts 26, the character 27 indicating equally spaced openings provided in the member 24, the character 28 indicates gussets attached as at 29 to thepipe 23, these gussets being attached at 30 to the angularly positioned fur- Patented May 25, 1965 ther female pipes 31 which are securely welded as at 32 The character 34 indicates caster wheels journaled in the casters 35 which are journaled as at 36 to the plates 37.

The pipe 24 is secured to the pair of ears 38 by means of the through-bolt 39, the ears 38 being welded at 40 to the pipe 11.

The pipe 11 includes the further ears 41 to which is pivotaliy attached a piston rod 42 attached to a suitable piston contained within the hydraulic cylinder 43, having the hydraulic hose connections 44 and 45, the cylinder 43 being pivoted at 46 to the ears 47 which are welded at 48 to the pipe 24, the cylinder 43 providing means together with the hydraulic hose connections, whereby the combined members 10 and 11 can be raised or lowered for lifting purposes. The pipe 24 can be raised or lowered in desired adjusted vertical position by merely replacing the set-screws 26 in any series of three openings, the several screws 26 thereby providing greater supporting strength at any position.

It will be noted from the foregoing structure that the entire crane or hoist can be dis-assembled by removing the bolts or screws 12, the bolt 39, the various hydraulic unit connections, and unscrewing the screws 26, whereby the unit can be conveniently pulled apart, with the various parts being in a completely reduced size for transportation, etc. and it will also be noted that when the unit is in its operating condition as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the sections where the male pipes join the female pipes, are substantially thickened at these joints, thereby strengthening the crane or hoist at the most important points where such strength is required.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a further modification with identical characters indicating identical parts, however in this construction, I provide the male pipes 49 which are welded at 50 to the pipes 31, the pipes 31 in this case being parallel to each other as shown in FIGURE 7, the pipes 49 terminating at 51 and being received within the female further pipes 52 which are attached to the central plate 53, to which the vertical pipe 23 is attached, the gussets 28 being secured as at 54.

This structure also includes similar locking means, etc., 12.

By the use of this structure, the pipes 49 can be pulled outwardly as shown, and the pipes 49 can also include spaced openings if desired, and in this arrangement it will be noted that the crane can be passed over larger objects, whereby these objects will be enclosed between the pipes 31, 32. In this latter structure, the casters 35 will be attached beneath the ends 55 of the pipes 31.

It will now be noted that I have provided the various advantages mentioned in the objects of my invention with further advantages being apparent.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my invention without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claim any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within its scope.

I claim as my invention:

A collapsible and adjustable machine framework construction comprising a vertically positioned tube, a further tube received within said tube, said vertically positioned tube including a plurality of set screws threadably engaged therewith, said further tube having a plurality of 3 4 openings for receiving said set screws, 2. horizontally posi- References Cited by the Examiner tioned boom pivoted to said vertically positioned tube at UNITED STATES PATENTS 1ts upper end, a further boom received in said boom, divergent horizontally positioned legs attached to said vertically 2,706,120 4/55 Str attn 212 35 positioned tube at the lower end thereof, said legs being 5 2,842,271 7/58 Wltchar 212 35 collapsible, a securing member attached at the end of 2872252 2/59 Konkle 248194 said further boom, said securing member including at 29531338 9/60 Hodgson bottom wall and side walls, said bottom Wall having an 3,059'785 10/62 Buckeye 212 35 open slot for receiving chain links therethrough, and whereby said chain links can be positioned to secure 1 CLAUDE LE Prlmary Examuwr' weights suspended from an assemblage of said chain links. FRANK L. ABBOTT, Examiner. 

